The once-flowing water spectacle known as The Big Bubble, connected to a mysterious red button on Preston Street Bridge that sent giant bubbles erupting from the Buffalo Bayou stream beneath when pressed, has been silent for years. Many Houstonians have wondered what happened to this quirky piece of public art, and the answer lies in a confluence of factors, including the devastating impact of Hurricane Harvey and changing priorities in the city’s art collection.

Before delving into the specifics, it’s worth appreciating the magic The Big Bubble once held. The captivating saga of the installation began in 1998 when artist Dean Ruck undertook the challenge of contributing to Houston’s Bayou Master Plan, an initiative designed to enhance the city’s waterways and create a more engaging urban landscape. Ruck, who won a national invitational competition to craft artworks along Sesquicentennial Park in downtown Houston, envisioned a distinctive piece that served a functional purpose and beckoned pedestrians to engage with the natural elements of the bayou.

Inspired by a desire to improve the health of the bayou through increased aeration, Ruck conceptualized The Big Bubble as a kinetic sculpture that would release a large volume of air into the water. The installation’s name was a straightforward reflection of its prominent feature: a sizable bubble rising to the surface when activated. With a compressor system on the banks of the bayou and a red button awaiting curious passersby, the installation became an unexpected source of delight, startling unsuspecting onlookers and inviting them to participate in the ephemeral magic that unfolded with each press.

The carefree days of bubbly eruptions came to an abrupt halt in 2017. Hurricane Harvey, with its relentless deluge, wreaked havoc on the city, leaving behind a trail of destruction that included the beloved art piece. The storm inundated the bayou, submerging the installation and inflicting irreparable damage.

The aftermath of Hurricane Harvey prompted the City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs (MOCA) to reassess the state of public art installations across the city. The focus shifted toward rehabilitation and recovery efforts in the wake of the natural disaster. In a statement issued by MOCA, the government agency detailed the decision to temporarily suspend the bubble’s operation.

“A previous assessment has estimated that the replacement of damaged parts and repair will exceed the value of the artwork, which is a key criteria and cause for considering deaccession,” the statement reads. “As we deepen our work through the Civic Art Program, planning for the long-term care of artworks within our collection has risen in priority, and so has the need for resilience in the design of new commissions.”

While the decision to potentially give up The Big Bubble was driven by the exorbitant repair costs, it was also fueled by a larger conversation about the future of Houston’s art. Hurricane Harvey served as a stark reminder of the fragility of public installations. MOCA now has a minimum lifespan of 20 years as a benchmark, ensuring future generations can enjoy the city’s artistic treasures for longer.

Despite its physical limitations, The Big Bubble’s impact transcends mere functionality. For nearly two decades, its playful interaction with the natural environment reminded locals to the bayou’s importance. The simple red button acted as an invitation, encouraging participation in the city’s artistic natural landscape.

Though the future of The Big Bubble remains uncertain, it still symbolizes the evolving nature of public art, highlighting the need for both artistic expression and practical sustainability. Perhaps, in the future, a new iteration will emerge, its form adapted to meet the demands of time and environment.